Deals of the week: Fiji, Tasmania, Antarctica, South America
Explore the best of Tasmania on a 12-day tour or head further afield to South America and the Galapagos Islands.
Beauty spots
Tasmania
Couples save $600 a pop on APT’s 12-day Tasmania Complete package, which takes guests around the state’s most popular attractions from Hobart. You’ll visit Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and the Bridestowe Lavender Estate, sip bubbles at Josef Chromy Wines and cruise the Gordon River with Spirit of the Wild. Accommodation includes Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge (pictured), Peppers Silo Hotel in Launceston and Freycinet Lodge.
Fine print From $6195 a person, twin-share, for the January 25, 2022 departure. Other dates available.
Wild and free
South America
Expedition line Hurtigruten’s Freedom Sale delivers discounts of 10 or 15 per cent on a huge range of voyages . The 17-day Galapagos and National Parks of South America journey begins in Ecuador’s capital Quito before flying to see the unique flora and fauna of the islands that fascinated Charles Darwin. Boarding the 530-passenger MS Roald Amundsen in Lima, passengers then cruise north, concluding in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Fine print Departs April 4, 2022; from $11,570 a person, twin-share, with 10 per cent saving.
Here comes the sun
Fiji
Malolo Island Resort will reopen to guests on December 20 after the long Covid shutdown. The family-friendly property has a stay-five, pay-three deal, including all meals, available after the festive season. Located 25km from Nadi airport and accessible by boat or seaplane, the resort offers accommodation across five bure categories. Use of beach equipment, adult and teen lounges and guided walks are also part of the packages.
Fine print From $F3770 ($2426) for two; $F4590 for a family of four; for travel January 15 to March 31, 2022.
Get in early
Antarctica
Couples who take advantage of super earlybird offers for luxurious “discovery yacht” Scenic Eclipse’s 16-day expedition into the Weddell Sea can save a handy $9748. The round trip from Buenos Aires, with flights to and from Ushuaia, crosses the Drake Passage to the South Shetland Islands before heading to the Weddell’s dramatic ice floes, bergs and abundant wildlife. The ship then explores the Antarctic Peninsula.
Fine print Departs December 20, 2022; from $22,731 a person, twin-share.
In the news
Queensland’s latest tourism promotion offers state residents discounts of up to 50 per cent on more than 400 experiences from the coast to the outback. The Great Queensland Getaway divides the state into four areas, with online promo codes delivering consumers rebates of up to $200 on activities such as scuba diving, scenic flights, nature tours and spa treatments. Book by October 31 for travel to January 23.
On the hotel front, Sydney Crowne Plaza Darling Harbour reopened this week, just in time to celebrate its first birthday. Accor is marking its 30th anniversary in the Pacific region, having opened its first property, Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour, in 1991. The group plans to introduce its Mondrian, 25hours, SO/ and Fairmont brands to Australia by 2023. Its newest properties, Sofitel Adelaide, and Movenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer, open next month.
Australian cruise line Aurora Expeditions has been certified 100 per cent carbon neutral by the South Pole Climate Neutral Company, an emissions-reduction project developer and climate action consultancy. Aurora says it achieved its goal by purchasing carbon credits and investing in renewable energy and biodiversity and conservation projects.